Gun mount



April 9, 1929.

F. 'r. MOORE El AL GUN MOUNT Filed June 21, 1926 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flttarn y hand end with a nut 16 adapted to engage the right-hand side plate 13. A handle 17 is provided for returning the nut' 16 and forcing boththe head andthe nut into firm I frictional engagement with the corresponding side plates. In this way the cradle-may be clamped and held against movement about its horizontal pivotal axis.-

' The construction as thus far describedis well known and doesnot of itself constitute any part of our present invention.

In Figs. 1 and 3 we have shown a gun G which is carried by the mount. This gun but it is mounted upon a saddle 18 which is supported by the cradle and which is longitudinally slidable with respect thereto.

Thedetails of construction of the saddle may be varied but we prefer and have shown a saddle comprising two side plates 19, 19 which are respectively located adjacent the corresponding side plates of the cradle. The two side plates are connected by suitable cross members, two cross bars 20 and' 21.

being shown. Each of the side late's 19, 19 is preferably provided with ongitudinal grooves 22 and 22" into which pro'ect' two shoes 23 and 24, which are carrie by the saddle. Preferably two pins 25 and 26 extend transversely between the two side plates 13, 13 of the cradle, and the side lates 19, 19 of the saddle are longitudina y slotted to receive the said pins.' These pins are utilized for supporting the before-mentioned shoes'23 and 24. By means of this constrution the saddle is so supported as to be capable of longitudinal movement on the cradle, the said shoes 23 and 24 providing a broad (bearing surface'for sup orting. the

saddle. and guiding the longitu 'nal move-' I ment thereof.

Provision is made for detachably connecting the to the saddle in such a way that it is'entirely supported thereby. The'gun' attaching means may be. constructed in accordance with, customary practice and as shown it comprises two ms 27 and 28 whichare adapted to extend rough aligned holes in the two side plates*- 19 "and also through suitable apertures providedfor the purpose at the lower part-of the G. In the operation of a gun of the type illustrated, the major portion of the ener of recoil is absorbed and utilized within t e .nally. However, under some circumstances there may be a slight longitudinal bodily recoil movement or vibration of the. gun during operation and with the construction illustrated it willbe apparent that the saddle 18 by reason of its slldablemounting will spring may vary as to construction and as to mounting, 'but' we prefer. and have shown a coil spring 29 -which isv interposed between the crossbar 20 and the pin 26.- Preferably the spring 29' is'slfpartake of any such bodily recoil movement. I 11 order that this bodily recoilmovement' may be absorbed and dissipated without ported and held in place by a tube 3.0 which I extends through apertures in the cross bar- 20 and the pin-26. As illustrated the spring 29 bears at one end directly against the cross bar 20' and at the other :end against a'collar j 31 pinned to the tube the pin 26 It will be understood that immediately 30 and bearing against after'any recoil movement which compmsesringwill react and the spring 29 the said return the saddle and the gun to their normal positions. In order to limit this'return movement and to absorb any shock resulting therefrom, we preferably provide a.seoond spring 32 which actsfin opposition to the f spring 29. Preferably the spring 32 is a coil spring similar'to the spring 29 and also mounted upon the tube 30 which is extended rearward 'for this purpose. One end of the spring 32 "engages a collar'33 pinned to the tube 30 and the other end engages a collar 34 which is loosely'mounted on the tube 30.

As already described 'elevational adjust-- ment of the gun may be efiected'by moving the saddle about the pivot pin 14, t

bein locked'in this position by means of the han e17 and the parts associated there: with. We prefer howeverto provide additional means for providing a more delicate elevational adjustment of the gun andto this end the saddle 18 is made a justable with respect to the cradle. As shown and as referred the adjustment is pin 23 is utilized or the purpose ofvertically moving the shoes 24 tobringabout the adjustment. As shown the pin- 26 is in the form of, a yoke which is connected to. or formed integrall with a downward extending' screw 35. combined 'nut'andhand esaddle arly ad- Y 7 efiected about t e in 25 as a pivot and the wheel 36 has a threaded engagement with the mrew and the outer portion or hub of the'nfember 36 is threaded to engage a nut 37. The nut 37 is oppositely inclined so rovided'with' trimnions 38 whichproject t rough apertures in the side plates 13, 13, thus providing a pivotal 24 and thus raise or lower the outer or rear portions of the saddle and the gun. It will be apparent that inasmuch as the elevational adjustment is effected by moving the shoes it does not in any way interfere with the longitudinal movement of the saddle which has already been described.

In order to fpreventany vibration of the gun or any inaccuracy of firing due to lost motion between the relatively movable parts of the cradle and saddle, we preferably proi vide spring means for applying vertical pressure to the saddle. As preferred and as illustrated there are two tension springs 39., 39 which are connected at their upper ends to a pin 40 extending transversely between the side'plates 19, 19 of the saddle 18. The springs 39, 39 are connected at their lower ends to a pin-41' extending transversely between depending brackets secured to the side plates 13, 13 of the cradle 1.

Preferably in order to more firmly support the swivel base 7 on the pivot base 6, we provide the said pivot base and swivel base with c"omple1nental segmental bearing surfaces which are concentric with the vertical pivotal axis but which are independent "of and spaced from the primary bearing surfaces at the stud 8. As illustrated the pivot base 6 is provided with a rearward extension 42 on which is formed a segmental conical bearing surface '43. The swivel base 7 is similarly formed with a rearward extension 44 having a segmental bearing surface 45 shaped and positioned to engage the surface 43. It .will be seen that the bearing surfaces 43 and 45 by reason of theirengagement provide a sup- .port for the swivel base which is relatively close to the center of gravity of the overhanging. parts of the mount and of the gun.

Preferably in order to make still further provision for rigidly supporting the overhanging parts of the cradle we provide at least one, and ordinarily two, links 46'.and 47. These links are horizontally pivoted to the extension 44 of the swivel base and the cradle is provided with means which engage the links and permit them to slide longitudinally when the cradle is adjusted about the pivot pin 14. Provision is made, however, for locking the links in fixedrelation to'the cradle when desired, thus enabling the links to act as supporting braces. Preferably the links are longitudinally slotted and a transverse clamping bolt 48 extends through apertures in the side plates 13, 13' and through both of the slots. This clamping bolt 48 is provided with a head 48 at one end and .with a nut 49 at the other end, the nut 49 the handle 50 the two links 46 and 47 may.

be drawn toward each other and into firm clamping engagement with the side plates 13, 13. I

For some classes of operation in warfare it is desirable to provide definite limits of elevation and depression-which can not he accidentally or unintentionally passed by the gun operator in hisv manipulation of the gun. This is particularly important when it is desired to plot trajectories'for barrage :warfare. For this purpose we have provided two positivelyacting adjustable stops which are so mounted as to limit the movement of the cradle about the axis of the pivot pin 14. We have found it convenient to utilize one of the links, as for instance the link 46, as a means for supporting these stops. As illustrated, there are two stops 51 and 52 which" are longitudinally adjustable along the link 46. The link is provided with an undercut longitudinal groove 53 which serves as a means for preventing the stops from being accidentally removed from the link. i i What we claim. is:

1. In a gun mount, the combination of ground engaging legs, a cradle supported by the legs, means for-detachably supporting a gun on the cradle so as to permit longitudinal sliding movement of the said gun during bodily recoil thereof, means carried for the cradle for adjusting the elevation of the gun with respect. to the said cradle, the said means being arranged to freely permit the aforesaid. longitudinal movement of the gun,-

and a spring connected with the cradle and adapted for resisting longitudinal movement of the gun in the recoil direction.

2. In a gun mount, the combination of groundengagin'g legs, a cradle supported by the legs, a saddle carried by the cradle and longitudinally slidable thereon, means where- I by agun may be detachably secured to and solely supported the saddle, the slidable mountin of the saddle permitting it to move longitudinally with the gun during bodily recoil thereof, means carried by the cradle for angularly adjusting the saddle with .re-

spect to the said cradle and thereby changing the elevation of the gun, the said means permitting the free longitudinal movement of the saddle and gun as aforesaid, and aspring connected with the said cradle and.

saddle for resisting longitudinal movement of the latter in the recoil direction.

3. In. a gun mount, the'combination bf ground engaging legs, a cradle supported by the legs and compr smg two parallel nor-' mally vertical spaced side plates, a saddle positioned between the side plates of the cradle and having longitudinal grooves in the side portions thereof adjacent the respective side plates, shoes carried by the side plates and fitting the grooves to guide the saddle for longitudinal movement, means whereby a'gun may be detachably secured to and solely supported by the saddle, the

mounting of the saddle permitting it to move longitudinally with the gun during bodily recoil thereof, and a spring connected with the said cradle and saddle for resisting longitudinal movement of the recoil direction.

4. In a gun mount, the combination of ground engaging legs, a cradle supported by the legs and comprising two parallel normally vertical spaced side plates, a saddle 'positioned between the-side. plates of the I bodily recoil thereof, and aspring connected -with the said cradle and saddle for resisting longitudinal movement of the latter in the recoil direction.

5. In ground engaging legs, a cradle supported by the legs and comprising two parallel nor mally vertical spaced side plates, a saddle positioned between the side plates of the cradle and having longitudinal grooves in the side portions thereof adjacent the respec tiveside plates, shoes carried by the side plates an whereby a gun may be detachably secured to and solely supported by the saddle, the mounting of the saddle permitting it to move longitudinally with the gun during bodil recoil-thereof, means for adjusting the s oes relatively to the cradle to angularly move the saddle and; thereby change the elevation of the gun, and a spring connected with the said cradle and saddle for resistin longitu al-movement of the latter in t erecoil 'rection.

6. In a 'gun .mount, the combination of the latter ini a gun mount, the combination tr,

fitting the grooves to guidethe saddle for longitudinal movement, means ground engaging legs, a cradle supported by the legs and comprising two parallel nor-- mally .vertical spaced side plates, a pin and a yoke extending transversely between the said side plates, a saddle ositioned between the side plates-of the era le and comprising two parallel side plates respectively adjacent tlre"side"plates ofthe cradle, the last said side plates being longitudinally slotted to receive. the pin and the yoke and also being respectively provided with longitudinal grooves in their outer faces adjacent the slots, shoes carried by the pin and the yoke respectively and fitting the said grooves to guide the saddle for longitudinal movement, means whereby a gun may be detachably secured to and solely supported by the saddle, the. mou ting ofthe saddle permitting it. to move ongitudinally with the gun during bodily recoil thereof, means for vertically adjusting the yoke and the shoes carried thereby to angularly move the saddle abolit the pin and thereby change the elevation of the gun, and a spring connected a with the said cradle and saddle forf resisting longitudinal movement of the "latter inthe recoil direction.

7. In a gun mount, the combination of ground engaging legs, a cradle supported by the legs and. cognprising two parallel: normally vertical s aced side plates, a pin and :a yoke extending'transversely between the said side plates, a saddle positioned between the side plates of the cradle and comprising two parallel side plates respec ively adjacent the side plates of the era le the last said side plates being longitudinally slotted to receive the pin and the yoke and also bein respectively provided with longitudina .grooves in their outer faces-adjacent the slots, shoes carried by the pin and the yoke respectively and fitting the said grooves to guide the saddle for longitudinal, movement, means wherebya gun may be 'detachably secured to and solely supported by the saddle, the mounting of: the saddle permitting it to move longitudinally with the gun during bodily recoil thereof, means for verticalliy rie aboutthe pin and thereby change the eleva tion of the gun, and a coil spring connected at one end. with the saddle and at the other end with the yoke and serving to resist longitudinal movement of the saddle in the 8. In a gun mount, the combination of.

to nd engaging legs a cradle supported gy he legs, a saddle (larried-by the cradle and longitudinally. slid'able thereon, means whereby a gun'may be detachably secured to and solely supported by the saddle, the

slidable mounting of the saddle permitting it to move longitudinally .with the gun during bodily recoil thereof, means carried by adjusting the yoke and the shoes car-- thereby to 'angularly move the saddle the cradle for angularly adjusting the saddle with respect to the said cradle and there by changing the elevation of the gun, the said means permitting the-free longitudinal movement of the saddle and gun as aforesaid, a spring connected with the said cradle and saddle for resisting longitudinal movement of the latter in the recoil direction, and a second spring also connected with the said cradle and saddle for limiting longitudinal movement of the latter in the return or counter-recoil direction.

9. In a gun mount, the combination of ground engaging legs, a cradle supported by the legs and comprising two parallel normally vertical spaced side plates, a pin and a yoke extending'transversely between thesaid side plates, a saddle positioned between,

the side plates of the cradle and'comprising two parallel side plates respectively adjacent the side plates of the cradle, the last said side plates being longitudinally slotted to receive the pin and the yoke and also being respectively provided with longitudinal grooves in their outer faces adjacent the slots, shoes carried by the pin and the yoke respectively and fitting the said grooves to guide the saddle for longitudinal movement, means whereby a gun may be detaehably secured to and solely supported by the saddle, the mounting of the saddle permitting it to move longitudinally with the gun during bodil recoil thereof, means for vertically ad usting the yoke and the shoes car-,

ried thereby to angularly move the saddle about the pin and thereby change the elevation 'of the gun, and two opposed coil springs and longitudinally slidable thereon, means whereby a gun may be detachably secured to and solely supported by the saddle, the slidable mounting of the saddle permitting it to move longitudinally with the gun during 11. In a gun mount, the combination of ground engaging legs, a pivot base carried by the legs, a swivel base mounted on the pivot base, the said pivot base and swivel base being provided respectively with-complemental pivot and bearing portions which adapt the swivel base for move-ment about a normallyvertical axis and the said pivot base and swivel base being further provided respectively with complemental segmental bearing surfaces concentric with the said axis and supplemental to and spaced from the said pivot andbearing portions, a cradle carried by the swivel base above the segmental bearing surface thereof, two later-- ally spaced adjustable braces extending between the rear part of the cradle and the portion of the base adjacent the segmental bearing surface thereof, and means carried by the cradle for supporting a gunin position for firing.

12. In a gun mount, the combination of ground engaging legs, a cradle carried by the legs and pivoted for movementeabout a normally horizontal axis, means :carriedby the cradle for supporting a gun in position for firing, two links at opposite sides of the cradle each having one and. horizontally pivoted to the swivel base below the cradle, means :on the cradle engaging the links and permitting them to slide lengthwise} when the cradle is adjusted about the said horizontal aims, and a single means for locking both of the links in fixedirelat'on to the 1 cradle hereby the links serv as supporting braces. v g

13. In a gun mount, the combination of ground engaging legs, a pivot base carried by the legs, a swivel base mounted on the pivot base, the said pivot base and swivel base being provided respectively with complemental pivot and bearing portions which adapt the swivel base for movement about a normally vertical axis and the said pivot base and swivel base being further provided respectively with ,complemental segmental bearing surfaces concentric with the said axis and, supplemental to and spaced from the said pivot and bearing portions, 'a

cradle carried by the swivel base about the segmental bearing surface thereof, the said cradle being pivoted to the said swivel base bodily recoil thereof, means carried by the for movement about. a normally horizontal cradle for angularly adjusting the saddle with respect to the said cradle and thereby changing the elevation of the gun, the said mean,s permitting the free longitudinal movement of the saddle and gun as foresaid,

a spring connected with the said cradle and saddle for resisting longitudinal movement of the latter inthe recoil direction, and a spring connected between the cradle and r the saddle for applying vertical pressure to the latter and thereby preventing lostmo tion of the saddle with respect to the cradle.

axis located near the aforesaid vertical axis,

means carried by the cradle for supporting a gun in position for firing, a link having one end horizontally pivoted to the swivel 14'. In a gun mount, the combinatio'n ofground engaging legs, a cradle supportedby the le and pivoted for movement about a norrna y horizontal axis, means carried by the cradle for supporting a gun in position for firing, an two positlvely acting adjustablejstops for limiting the movement;

of the cradle "about the said, horizontal amsz a 15. In a mount, the combination of ground engaging leg? a cradle carried by the legs and pivoted or movement about a normaffi honzontal axis, means carried by the'cr e for supporting a gun in position for firing; a link ha one endhorizoncradle, means ,on the cradle e'ngagin thelink and permitting .it to slide lengxt wise when the cradle, isad'justed about t c said horizontal axis, and two positively acting stops adjustably mounted on the link for limitin the movement of the cradle about the sai horizontal axis.

16. In a gun' mount, ground engaging le a cradle carried by the legs and ivote for movement about a normall' horizontal agrisgmeans carried by the era 1e for sup orting a gun in sition for firing, a link avin one .end 'o'rizontally pivoted to the swivel base :below the the combination of cradle, means on the cradle engagin 'the link. and permitting. it "to slidelen A wise when the cradle is .adjustedabout't e said horizontal axis, two positively actings tops adjustably mounted on the linlr for hmitin' the movement of the cradle about the sai horizontal axis, and means for locking the link in fixed relation to the cradle whereby the link serves as a 'supporting brace.-

FREDERICK T. MOORE.

CHRISTIAN PFEIEFEB. 

